Device for synchronizing ticker tape pullers



March 1, 1932. D, F NEWMAN 1,847,663

DEVICE FOR SYNCHRONIZING TICKER TAPE PULLERS Filed Janv 2, 1929 5Sheets-Sheet l 105 t A :1 ji-jjjb 101 3 X ATTORNEY March 1, 1932. D. F.NEWMAN DEVICE FOR SYNCHRONIZING TICKER TAPE PULLERS 5 Sheets-Sheet -2Filed Jan. 2, 1929 /M #1 ENTOFZ W z/w/ ATTORNEY I March 1, 1932. D, F,NEW AN 1,847,663

DEVICE FOR SYNCHRONIZING TICKER TAPE PULLERS Filed Jan. 2, 1929 3Sheets-Sheet 3 III!" ATTORN EY Patented Mar. 1, 1932 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE DAVID B. NEWMAN, OF FBEEPOBT, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TOTRANS-LUX DAYLIGHT PICTURE SCREEN CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPORATION OF DELA- WARE DEVICE FOR SYNCHRONIZING TIOKER TAPE PULLERSApplication filed January 2, 1929. Serial No. 329,900.

This invention relates to ticker tape pullers and more especially todevices for synchronizing tape pullers.

It has become the practice to project the data printed on tapes bytickers and other data-recording devices on to screens whereby the datamay be viewed by a number of spectators. Various apparatus have beendevised to attain this object. These appa- 0 ratus usually consisted ofa puller mechanism controlled by the variations in a loop formed betweenthe ticker mechanism and the projection device. Specifically, the tapepuller was controlled by a contact member carried on a lever riding onthe loop and closing a circuit when the loop increased to a certainpredetermined size. When the tension of the tape increased and the loopdecreased in size,

7 the lever member riding thereon was raised as whereby the circuitcontrolling the tape puller was opened, thus stopping the feeding of thetape through the projection system.

This condition existed until the tape became slack and the size of theloop increased sufliciently to allow the contact to close the circuitwhereby the tape puller was rendered operative.

I have found that I can control the feeding of the tape through adata-recording projecso tion system irrespective of the loop and throughthe ticker mechanism itself.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a mechanism forfeeding a. tape intermittently ejected from a ticker or otherdata-recording means through a projection system, the feeding meansbeing controlled by the ticker or data-recording means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safety device whichwill function when the tape has become taut or the tension thereofincreased.

Additional objects will appear from the following description, appendedclaims and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sketch illustrating the arrangement of theticker projection system and feeding means.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device constituting this invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the device.

Figure 4 illustrates a rear view of the device having a portion of theframe removed.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on lines 55 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate likeparts, the reference numeral 1 designates a ticker mechanism adapted tointermittently eject a tape therefrom. Preferably, the tape is ejectedin such a manner that a loo 2 is formed from whence it is drawn acrossthe projection table 3 by the tape puller 4. When in position on theprojection table 3 which may be any suitable transparent support orskeleton frame, the data on the tape is projected by means of aprojection system comprising a lamp 5, lenses 6 and 7 on to a screen 8.If necessary, mirrors 9 may be used to change the direction of the beamof light carrying the projected data to the screen. If desired, atape-Winding-mechanism 10 may be used to wind up the tape after it hastraversed the system.

The mechanism constituting this invention comprises a frame havingupright members 11 and 11' joined together by cross pieces 12 andconstituting a support for a tape ulling mechanism. Suitably secured tot e upright 11 is a frame having lateral projecting members 13 and ahorizontal member 14 removably secured by screws 15 to the ends thereof.The horizontal member is provided with a bearing 16 in which one end ofa shaft 17 is journaled, the other end of said shaft being journaled orsupported in upright 11. Loosely mounted on'the shaft 17 is a pullingroller 18 havin a laterally extending flange portion 19. is flangeportion is preferably grooved as indicated at 20, the portions 21adjacent the groove being knurled, roughened or otherwise suitablytreated whereby it may more eifectively bite or grip the tape being fedthereover.

The roller 18 may be mounted on the shaft 17 in various ways. Forreasons which will hereafter become apparent, I prefer to mount theroller 18 on a sleeve 22 dis osed on the shaft 17, said sleeve having at readed portion 23 on which a disc or small roller 24 is screwed. Aspring 25 is disposed between the shoulder 26 of the roller 18 and theside of the roller 24, whereby the roller 18 is continuall urgedrearwardly and a flange 27 thereo engages a flange 28 of the sleeve 22and forming a friction drive. In this manner, rotation of sleeve 22obtained from shaft 17, is transmitted to roller 18. The rotation ofshaft 17 is obtained from a gear 29, securely fastened to shaft 17 andmeshing with a gear 30 loosely mounted on a shaft 31. This shaft extendsthrough an 0 ening 32 in the upright 11 and has one end t ereofjournaled in a bearin 33 formed in a bracket 34 suspended from t elateral members 13. The other end of the shaft 31, provided with aspirally grooved or threaded portion 35, is journaled in a bracket 36secured to the upright 11 in any suitable manner.

Rotation of the gear 30 is obtained from the shaft 31 by means of coilspring 37, one end of which is suitably secured to the shaft 31, theother end being secured in some suit-.

able manner to the gear 30 or parts securely fastened thereto. In thismanner the rotation of the shaft 31 is transmitted through the spring 37to the gear 30 which in turn transmits motion to the gear 29, thence tothe roller 18. Instead of employin one spring any desired number may beuse In the drawings there is illustrated two springs 37 and 37, thelatter being mounted in a spider on the shaft 31; or, if desired, a geararrangement may be used.

Securely fastened on the shaft 31 is a ratchet wheel 38 through whichmovement of the shaft 31 is obtained. Rotation of the ratchet wheel 38is obtained through a pawl 39 pivotally mounted on an arm 40 andmaintained in engaging position with the ratchet wheel by means of aspring 41 connected to the end 42 of the pawl 39 and to an extension 43of the arm 40. Another pawl 44 pivotally mounted on the upright 11 at 45is maintained in locking position by means of a spring 46, the ends ofwhich are connected to the pawl 44 and frame 11.

As above stated, the rotation of the shaft 31 is obtained through thepawl 39 acting on the ratchet wheel 38. The movement of the pawl 39 isobtained by causing the arm 40 to reciprocate up and down whereby thepawl 39 disengages and enga es the ratchet wheel 38. causing the latterto e rotated. This r0- tation, as above explained, is transmitted to theroller 18.

contact member which makes and breaks a circuit including the solenoids47. This closing of the circuit causes the solenoids 47 to attract amember 48 which is secured to a shaft 49 on which the arm 40 is mountedthus imparting rocking movement, to the shaft and reciprocating the arm40 up and down.

The apparatus defined above is constructed so that it will operate asnear in synchronism with the ticker as possible. Preferably it isdesired to operate the tape puller at a speed slightly greater than theticker mechanism. Since all tickers do not operate at exactly the samespeed, means are provided to adjust the feeding mechanism of the tapepuller to obtain the desired results. With this in view, arm 40 isprovided with an extension 50, the movement of which is limited by stops51 and 52. The stop 51 is eccentric in shape or eccentrically mountedwhereb it may be adjusted to control the limit of the upward travel ofthe extension 50. Also, the stroke of the arm may be varied by adjustingthe stop '52. This stop is also eccentric in shape or eccentricallymounted and it may be positioned as hereafter described. The stop 52 iscarried on a link 53 which is connected to a lug 54 slidably mounted ona vertical pin 55. At its bottom portion, the pin 55 carries a lug 56which is connected to a link 57 pivotally mounted on the upright 11.Thus by moving the pin and lugs up or down, the movement thereof istransmitted to the stop 52 through link 53 and the stop adjusted asdesired. To increase the range of adjustment, link 57 is provided with aslot 58 in which a pin 59 extending through the lug 56 is adapted to beadjusted to any suitable position, thus increasing or decreasing thelength of link 57.

In the operation of a ticker it frequently happens that one or moreteeth are missed whereby a greater length of tape is ejected. To makethe feeding device take care of this, I form a link 57 on link 57 andmake it cooperate with a disc 60 mounted on the shaft 31. This dischas'a notch 60 therein, which link 57' enters during each revolution anddue to the spring 61 normally urging link 57 upward, stop 52 isautomatically moved, permitting the stroke of arm 40 to be increased.Instead of the notched disc, any OtlKil suitable means, such as a cam,may be usec.

Thus by adjusting the stops 51 and 52, the arm 40 may travel a greateror smaller distance whereby the ratchet wheel 38 is given a greaterorsmaller movement.

The gear 30 is securely fastened to a brake drum 62 cooperating with abrake 63. In operation of the device, the brake 63 at the beginning isin contact with the brake drum 62. As the ticker functions and operationof the device continues, the brake 63 is gradually released. The brake63 is mounted on a leveror link 64 pivotall mounted at 65 on the arm 66.By means 0 s rings 67 and 68 cooperatin with the ends 0 link 64 and arm66 respectively, the brake 63 is normally urged in a forward directionto enga e the brake drum 62. The arm 66 is provi c with a bifurcated end69 in which is resiliently mounted the arm 7 0 provided with aprojection 71 and adapted to coperate with the thread or spiral groovedportion 35 of the shaft 31. By this means, as the shaft 31 rotates, thearm 70 is advanced outwardly, thus releasing the brake.

In the drawings I- have illustrated one brake engaging the side of thebrake drum.

- It is to be understood that a plurality of I to cooperate.

brakes may be used and that the brake may be made to cooperate with thebrake drum at any desired point or place. Or if desired, the brake maybe made to directly cooperate with the shaft.

In the operation of mechanisms of this nature it is found that veryoften the tension of the tape increases. In other words, the feedingmechanism has taken a all the tape that the ticker has ejected an thetape is placed under tension; When this occurs, that is. when thetension of the tape has increased and the brake 63 has been released,rotation of the gear 39 is transmitted to the gear 29 and thence to theshaft 17. Due to the mounting of the roller 18 on the shaft 17, thetension of the tape is sufiicient to overcome the friction betweenflanges 27 and 28 necessary to drive the roller 18,- thus rendering theroller 18 inoperative. Accordingly, the feeding of the tape ismomentarily stopped. When this'occurs, it is desirable to apply thebrake and prevent the spring from rotating the above-mentioned parts. Toattain this result the shaft 17 is provided with a threaded 'or groovedportion 72 with which a projection 73 of the arm 74 is adapted The arm74 is pivotally fastened in a bifurcated member 75 of a bell crank lever76 pivotally secured at 77 onthe frame. A leaf spring 78 normally urgesthe arm 7 4 downward whereby the projection 73 is maintained in thegroove 68. Cooperating with the arm 79 of the bell crank lever is amechanism adapted to engage the arm 70 whereby it is operated to closethe brake. This mechanism comprises a member 80 slidably mounted in lugs81 secured on the up right 11. Disposed between the lugs 81 of thebracket is a spring 82 which constantly forces and maintains the member80 in contact with the arm 79 of the bell crank 76. Pivotally secured tothe other end of the member 80 is a support 83 in which an arm 84, bentin the form illustrated, is pivotally and slidably mounted. The arm 84is adapted to be engaged by thearm 7 0. Thus, when the tension of thetape has increased .and

the feed roller 18 is inoperative due to the rotation of the shaft 17,the arm 74 advances over the grooved or threaded portion -72. By thisaction the bell crank lever 76 forces the arm 84 through the cooperatingpart 80 to engage the arm 70 and cause the latter to momentarilydisengage itself from the grooved portion 35. Due to the springs 67 and68, the arm 70 is caused to snap back to its original position and applythe brake 63. At this stage, the arm 74 is at the forward end of. thethreaded portion of the shaft 17 and the arm 70 is at the forward end ofthe threaded or grooved portion 35.

Secured tothe arm 40 is an arm'86 having a horizontal portion 87 whichis adapted to reciprocate the arm 74. When the arm 74 is at the forwardend of the grooved portion 72 and the ticker begins to operate, the arm86 raises arm 7 4 and, due to the force applied by the member 80 to thelink 79 of the bell crank lever 76, the arm 74 is forced back to itsnormal position on the threaded portion 35.

The time at which the arm 84 causes the arm 7 0 to snap back intoposition to apply the brake may be set and predetermined. To thiseffect, there is mounted on the frame a vertical support 88 having a lug89 thereon. Disposed through this lug is a screw 90 which is adapted tobe moved inwardly or outwardly, thus limiting the advance of the member80 by the spring 82 which in turn moves the link 7 9 of the bell cranklever 76. A nut 91 is provided to lock screw 90 in the desired position.

In order to increase the biting action of the feed roller 18 on thetape, there may be provided, if desired, a grooved roller 92 mounted incooperative relationship with said roller 18. This roller may be mountedin any suitable manner. In the drawings I have shown it mounted in abracket 93 pivotally mounted on a shaft 94 carried in lugs 95 of asupport 96' suitably secured to the main frame 11. l In order toconstantly maintain the roller 92 in contact with the roller 18, a pin96' is secured to the shaft 94. To the end of this pin one end of thespring 97 is secured, the other end of the spring being secured to a pin98 on the upwardly extending support 88. If desired, the rotation ofroller 18 may be transmitted to roller 92 by gears 99 and 100.

In the operation of the device, the tape is intermittently ejected fromthe ticker mechanism. Preferably it passes beneath a fixed guide 101whereby a loop is formed. From the loop the tape is drawn by the feedingmechanism through the projection position, whereby the data on the tapeis projected on to the screen 8. If desired, means 102 may be providedat the forward end of the support or .table in order to maintain thetape in contact with the projection table. This means may be of anydesired type. I have found a J-spring or even a resiliently mountedroller, engaging the tape at the center and/or marginal edges, thetensionthereofbeing insuflicient to prevent the tape from being pulledthereunder produces satisfactory results. As the ticker mechanismoperates, the arm 40 reciprocates up and down.- At the beginning oftheoperation, the brake 63 is in applied position, thus preventing theshaft 31 from rotating. During the operation of the ticker, the arm 70advances on the threaded portion 35, whereby the brake 63 is graduallyreleased, whereupon rotation of the feeding means is obtained.

Since the arm 74 is reciprocated up and down by the arm 86, it maintainsits normal position, that is to say, it does not advance on the threadedportion 72. When all the ejected tape has been fed through the apparatusand the tension of the tape increases to such an extent that itsresistance to the roller arm 70 is caused to snap back whereby the brake63 is applied. At this point the arm 74 is at the forward extreme end ofthe threaded portion 72. Upon the beginning of the operation of theticker, the arm 74 is raised by the arm 86 and due to the tensionexerted by spring 82 on the bell crank lever 76, it is brought back toits original position. This cycle is continuously repeated.

Since it is apparent that various changes may be made in the abovedescribed details without departing from the nature of the invention, Ido not limit myself to these specific details, except as set forth inthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a ticker adapted to intermittently eject a tapetherefrom, means to feed said tape through a projection system,

said feeding means being controlled by said ticker independently of anyloop in the tape, and means to render said feeding means ineffectivewhen the tension of the tape increases.

2. In combination, a ticker adapted to intermittently eject a tapetherefrom, means to feed said tape through a projection system, and abrake mechanism cooperating with said feeding means and adapted to bereleased by the operation of said ticker independently of any loop inthe tape.

3. In combination, a ticker adapted to intermittently eject a tapetherefrom, means tofeed said tape through a projection system, a brakemechanism cooperating with said feeding means and adapted to be releasedby the operation of said ticker independently of any loop in the tape,and means to apply said brake mechanism.

4. In combination, a ticker adapted to intermittently eject a tapetherefrom, means to feed said tape through a projection system, saidfeeding .means controlled by said ticker independently of any loop inthe tape, and means to adjust and vary the rate of feeding.

5. In combination, aticker adapted to intermittently eject a tapetherefrom, means to feed said tape through a projection system, means topredetermine the rate of feeding, and means to vary the rate of feedingto take care of tape ejected due to slippage or missing of parts of theticker mechanism.

6. In combination, a ticker adapted to intermittently eject a tapetherefrom, means to feed said tape through a projectionsystem, a brakemechanism controlling said feeding means, means controlled by the tickerto release said brake, and means to apply the brake when the ticker isat rest.

7. In combination, a ticker adapted to intermittently eject a tapetherefrom, means to feed said tape through a projection system, saidmeans including a pulling roller, an arm adapted to be reciprocated bysaid ticker, and means for transmitting the movement of said arm todrive said pulling roller.

8. In combination, a ticker adapted to intermittently eject a tapetherefrom, means to feed said tape through a projection system, saidmeans including a pulling roller, a brake mechanism, an arm adapted tobe reciprocated by said ticker, and means for transmitting the movementof said arm to drive said pulling roller and release said brakemechanism.

9. In combination, a ticker adapted to intermittently eject a tapetherefrom, means to feed said tape through a projection system, saidmeans including a pulling roller, an arm adapted to be reciprocated bysaid ticker, means for transmitting the movement of said arm to drivesaid pulling roller, and means l miting the movement of said arm wherebythe rate of feeding may be controlled.

10. In combination, a ticker adapted to intermittently eject a tapetherefrom, means to feed said tape through a projection system, saidmeans including a pulling roller, an arm adapted to be rec procated bysaid ticker, means for transmitting the movement of said arm to drivesaid pulling roller, and means limiting the movement of said arm wherebythe rate of feeding may be controlled, said lastnamed means comprisingadjustable stops.

11. In combination, a ticker adapted to intermittently eject a tapetherefrom, means to feed said tape through a projection system,

said means including a pullin roller, an arm adapted to be reciprocatedy said ticker, means for transmitting the movement of said arm to drivesaid pulling roller, and means limiting the movement of said arm wherebythe rate of feeding may be controlled, said last named means comprisingeccentrically adjustably mounted stops.

12. In combination, a ticker adapted to intermittently eject a tickertape therefrom, means to feed said tape through a projection system,said means including a shaft and a pulling roller mounted thereon abrake mechanism cooperating with said feeding means, means controlled bythe said ticker to release said brake, and means controlled by saidshaft to apply said brake when the ticker is at rest.

13. In combination, a ticker adapted to intermittently eject a tapetherefrom, means to feed said tape through a projection system, saidmeans including a pulling roller loosely mounted on a shaft whereby itmay be rendered inoperative when the tension of the tape increases, abrake mechanism cooperating with said feeding means, means controlled bysaid ticker to release said brake, and means controlled by said shaft toapply said brake when the pulling roller is rendered inoperative.

14. In combination, a device for forming indicia on a tape, means formoving said tape through a projection field, and electromagneticmechanism actuated by said device for operating said means, said meansmoving tape during a period of non-operation of said device and saidelectromagnetic mechanism.

15. In combination, a device for forming indicia on a tape, meanscomprising a spring motor for moving said tape through a projectionfield, and electromagnetic mechanism actuated by said device foroperating said means, said means moving tape during a period ofnon-operation of said device and said electroma etic mechanism.

16. In combination, a device for forming indicia on a tape, means formoving said tape through a projection field, mechanism "for operatingsaid means, said means moving tape during a period of non-operation ofsaid mechanism, and means for automatically discontinuing operation ofsaid first named means.

17. In combination, a device for forming indicia on a tape, means formoving said tape through a projection field, electromagnetic mechanismactuated by said device for operating said means, said means moving tapeduring a period of non-operation of said device and said electromagneticmechanism, nd means for automatically discontinuing op ration of saidfirst named means after a pre determined period.

18. In combination, a device for forming indicia on a tape, meanscomprising a spring motor for moving said tape through a proj ectionfield, electromagnetic mechanism actuated by said device for windingsaid motor, said means moving tape during a period of non-operation ofsaid device and said electromagnetic mechanism, and braking meansautomatically operable to discontinue operation of said first namedmeans.

19. In combination, a device for forming indicia on a tape, meansfor-moving said tape through a projection field, said means beingoperated by said device, and means for discontinuing tape movement ofsaid means upon attainment of predetermined tension by said tape.

20. In combination, a device for formingindicia. on a tape, meanscomprising a spring motor for moving said tape through a projectionfield, electromagnetic mechanism actuated by said device for windingsaid motor, and clutch mechanism for discontinuing tape movement of saidmeans upon attainment of predetermined tension by said DAVID F. NEWMAN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,847,663. March 1, 1932.

DAVID F. NEWMAN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof theabove numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5,lines 80 and 89, claims 19 and 20, respectively, for "of" read by; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with these correctionstherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Office.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of July, A. D. 1932.

. M. J.- Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

